Article
Immunology
Joseph D. Challenger, Stijn W. van Beek, Rob ter Heine, Saskia C. van der Boor, Giovanni D. Charles, Merel J. Smit, Chris Ockenhouse, John J. Aponte, Matthew B. B. McCall, Matthijs M. Jore, Thomas S. Churcher, Teun Bousema
Summary: Transmission-blocking interventions, such as the monoclonal antibody TB31F, have been shown to be safe and effective in combating malaria. The administration of TB31F at 80% coverage over a 3-year period can significantly reduce clinical incidence of malaria, with higher reductions seen in high-transmission and low-transmission seasonal settings. Targeting school-aged children for this intervention can achieve the greatest reduction in cases. These findings highlight the potential of monoclonal antibodies as a valuable tool against malaria and provide important insights for public health planning.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Laura Matarazzo, Paulo J. G. Bettencourt
Summary: The success of mRNA-based vaccines against COVID-19 has sparked interest in mRNA technology for vaccinology. Since 2020, there has been a significant increase in the development of mRNA vaccines, with improvements in formulation design, delivery methods, and manufacturing processes. However, challenges such as high raw material costs, lack of standardization, and delivery optimization remain. mRNA technology holds promise for addressing emerging infectious diseases and hard-to-treat diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Mayumi Tachibana, Eizo Takashima, Masayuki Morita, Jetsumon Sattabongkot, Tomoko Ishino, Richard Culleton, Motomi Torii, Takafumi Tsuboi
Summary: Existing control measures have made significant progress in reducing malaria morbidity and mortality, but progress has been slowing down in recent years. Efforts have been made to develop malaria vaccines, with more progress made for Plasmodium falciparum. However, the development of a malaria transmission-blocking vaccine (TBV) is crucial for malaria elimination. Challenges in developing TBVs, including low immunogenicity in humans, have hindered progress. In this review, the latest progress, challenges, and innovations in P. vivax TBV research are summarized, along with discussions on accelerating its development.
PARASITOLOGY INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Dieynaba Diallo, Caroline Quach
Summary: This study aims to examine the off-label assessment processes for vaccines to provide a standardized decision-making framework and analytical approach. The research will systematically identify reports and studies on off-label vaccine use in public health, with screening conducted independently by two reviewers and data extracted using a standard form.
Article
Microbiology
Juliana Calit, Jessica E. Araujo, Bingbing Deng, Kazutoyo Miura, Xiomara A. Gaitan, Maisa da Silva Araujo, Jansen F. Medeiros, Carole A. Long, Anton Simeonov, Richard T. Eastman, Daniel Y. Bargieri
Summary: Safe and effective chemotherapeutics for blocking malaria transmission at the sexual stage of the parasite life cycle are limited. Primaquine is the only approved drug for transmission reduction, but its toxicity poses challenges to widespread use.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Patrick E. Duffy
Summary: Transmission-blocking vaccines target mosquito sexual stage parasites to prevent malaria spread, relying on herd immunity to reduce new infections but offering no protection post-infection. Clinical development faces challenges in ensuring durability and efficacy, with candidates in trials targeting specific antigens and exploring platforms and adjuvants for enhanced immunogenicity. Efficacy trials require special considerations to measure herd immunity and address confounding factors like human and mosquito movements.
EXPERT REVIEW OF VACCINES
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Guo Xu, Yukuan Mao, Tianyue Jiang, Bingbing Gao, Bingfang He
Summary: This review highlights the structural design strategies and biomedical applications of microneedle-based vaccines. By selecting appropriate materials and methods, microneedle-based vaccines with strong mechanical properties and variable forms can be fabricated for monitoring or augmenting human immunity. The mechanism of skin immunity, classification and fabrication approaches of microneedles, as well as their applications in sampling and therapy, are discussed.
JOURNAL OF CONTROLLED RELEASE
(2022)
Review
Immunology
Shasha Yu, Jing Wang, Xue Luo, Hong Zheng, Luhan Wang, Xuesen Yang, Ying Wang
Summary: Malaria remains a widespread parasitic disease and poses a threat to underdeveloped areas. New control methods targeting the mosquito phase and direct killing of mosquitoes, as well as utilizing microorganisms like Wolbachia and gut flora, show potential in blocking malaria transmission.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Immunology
Frankie M. T. Lyons, Mikha Gabriela, Wai-Hong Tham, Melanie H. Dietrich
Summary: This review summarizes the crucial roles of the 6-cysteine protein family in parasite development, transmission, evasion of host immune response, and host cell invasion in the Plasmodium falciparum life cycle. It also provides an overview of the current approaches for recombinant expression, monoclonal antibody production, and crystal structure analysis of the 6-cysteine proteins.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Fan Yang, Fei Liu, Xinxin Yu, Wenqi Zheng, Yudi Wu, Yue Qiu, Ying Jin, Liwang Cui, Yaming Cao
Summary: Mixing or fusing antigens targeting different stages of sexual development, such as Pbg37 and PSOP25, can lead to stronger transmission-blocking activities and no immunological interference between the antigens. The bivalent vaccines show significantly enhanced transmission-reducing activities in vitro and in vivo, providing a theoretical basis for the development of combination TBVs targeting different sexual stages.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Palak N. Patel, Niraj Tolia
Summary: Transmission-blocking vaccines (TBVs) aim to neutralize the sexual stages of Plasmodium parasites, preventing disease spread; Leading TBV candidates include Pfs230, Pfs48/45, Pfs47, Pfs25, and PfHAP2; Research on monoclonal antibodies isolated directly from humans and animal models has provided new insights into TBV efficacy and development.
EXPERT REVIEW OF VACCINES
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Kaci D. McCoy, Caroline T. Weldon, Rashid Ansumana, Joseph M. Lamin, David A. Stenger, Sadie J. Ryan, Kevin Bardosh, Kathryn H. Jacobsen, Rhoel R. Dinglasan
Summary: The study found that most adults in Bo, Sierra Leone are willing to accept a TBV vaccine as part of an integrated anti-malarial strategy. Perceived barriers to TBV acceptance were focused on community-level distribution, personal fears of vaccination, and potential costs. Parents and health workers provided insight on successfully rolling out a future TBV vaccination program.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Giulia Siciliano, Veronica Di Paolo, Dante Rotili, Rossella Migale, Francesca Pedini, Marialuisa Casella, Serena Camerini, Daniele Dalzoppo, Rob Henderson, Tonnie Huijs, Koen J. Dechering, Antonello Mai, Anna Maria Caccuri, Marco Lalle, Luigi Quintieri, Pietro Alano
Summary: This work investigates the activity of NBDHEX and its carboxylic acid metabolite on the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. NBDHEX shows strong activity against all blood stages of the parasite, with a higher potency against the gametocytes. Covalent modifications of gametocyte proteins are found to be associated with the antiparasitic effect of NBDHEX. Both NBDHEX and its metabolite have limited cytotoxicity in vitro, making them potential starting points for the development of new drugs to block malaria transmission.
Article
Immunology
Danton Ivanochko, Amanda Fabra-Garcia, Karina Teelen, Marga van de Vegete-Bolmer, Geert-Jan van Gemert, Jocelyn Newton, Anthony Semesi, Marloes de Bruijni, Judith Bolscher, Jordache Ramjith, Marta Szabat, Stefanie Vogt, Lucas Kraft, Sherie Duncan, Shwu-Maan Lee, Moses R. Kamya, Margaret E. Feeney, Prasanna Jagannathan, Bryan Greenhouse, Robert W. Sauerwein, C. Richter King, Randall S. MacGill, Teun Bousem, Matthijs M. Jore, Jean -Philippe Julien
Summary: Pfs230 is a crucial protein for Plasmodium falciparum transmission to mosquitoes and a target for the most advanced malaria-transmission-blocking vaccine candidate. Through screening the B cell repertoire of naturally exposed individuals, this study identified five potent monoclonal antibodies that bind to distinct epitopes on Pfs230. The highly potent antibodies from natural infection recognized a conserved conformational epitope, while antibodies from natural infection or vaccination recognized three different sites.
Article
Immunology
Rebecca Webster, Hayley Mitchell, Jenny M. Peters, Juanita Heunis, Brighid O'Neill, Jeremy Gower, Sean Lynch, Helen Jennings, Fiona H. Amante, Stacey Llewellyn, Louise Marquart, Adam J. Potter, Geoffrey W. Birrell, Michael D. Edstein, G. Dennis Shanks, James S. McCarthy, Bridget E. Barber
Summary: A single low dose of tafenoquine can effectively reduce the transmission of Plasmodium falciparum parasites to mosquitoes, although there is a delay in its effect.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Correction
Evolutionary Biology
Vivek Jayaswal, Cyrille Ndo, Hsiu-Ching Ma, Bryan D. Clifton, Marco Pombi, Kevin Cabrera, Anna Cohuet, Karine Mouline, Abdoulaye Diabate, Roch Dabire, Diego Ayala, Jose M. Ranz
GENOME BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Robert J. Ragotte, David Pulido, Amelia M. Lias, Doris Quinkert, Daniel G. W. Alanine, Abhishek Jamwal, Hannah Davies, Adela Nacer, Edward D. Lowe, Geoffrey W. Grime, Joseph J. Illingworth, Robert F. Donat, Elspeth F. Garman, Paul W. Bowyer, Matthew K. Higgins, Simon J. Draper
Summary: This study identifies three antibodies that have synergistic effects on a malaria vaccine candidate and demonstrates that lateral interactions between the antibodies slow dissociation and inhibit parasite growth. Understanding the mechanisms of antibody synergy is crucial for vaccine design and antibody cocktail development.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Ekta Mukhopadhyay, Florian Brod, Philip Angell-Manning, Nicola Green, Richard D. Tarrant, Frank J. Detmers, Emma J. Bolam, Ioana N. Baleanu, Mark Hobson, Gary Whale, Susan J. Morris, Rebecca Ashfield, Sarah C. Gilbert, Jing Jin, Simon J. Draper, Sarah P. Moyle, Eleanor L. Berrie, Adrian V. S. Hill
Summary: This study presents a method for producing a VLP-based anti-malaria vaccine called R21 under cGMP regulations. The production process was modified to produce clinical-grade material for human clinical trials. The use of C-tag technology for purification of the vaccine candidate is a first in human clinical trials. The R21 vaccine has shown high efficacy in African clinical trials.
BIOTECHNOLOGY AND BIOENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Matthew D. J. Dicks, Louisa M. Rose, Rebecca A. Russell, Lesley A. H. Bowman, Carl Graham, Jose M. Jimenez-Guardeno, Katie J. Doores, Michael H. Malim, Simon J. Draper, Mark Howarth, Sumi Biswas
Summary: This study describes a system that allows for the display of antigens on the surface of adenovirus vectors, resulting in potent humoral immunity. By using a protein superglue, antigens can be attached to the adenovirus capsid, improving the efficacy and boostability of the vaccine. Capsid decoration shields the virus particles from neutralizing antibodies.
Article
Immunology
Adela Nacer, Gaily Kivi, Raini Pert, Erkki Juronen, Pavlo Holenya, Eduardo Aliprandini, Rogerio Amino, Olivier Silvie, Doris Quinkert, Yann Le Duff, Matthew Hurley, Ulf Reimer, Andres Tover, Simon J. Draper, Sarah Gilbert, Mei Mei Ho, Paul W. Bowyer
Summary: Malaria, caused by Plasmodium parasites, is a global health issue with a significant number of cases and deaths each year. Resistance to current treatments emphasizes the need for the development of vaccines. This study focuses on the development of recombinant human antibodies to key target proteins and obtains potent antibodies that can be used for research and clinical trials.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Jo Salkeld, Yrene Themistocleous, Jordan R. Barrett, Celia H. Mitton, Thomas A. Rawlinson, Ruth O. Payne, Mimi M. Hou, Baktash Khozoee, Nick J. Edwards, Carolyn M. Nielsen, Diana Munoz Sandoval, Florian A. Bach, Wiebke Nahrendorf, Raquel Lopez Ramon, Megan Baker, Fernando Ramos-Lopez, Pedro M. Folegatti, Doris Quinkert, Katherine J. Ellis, Ian D. Poulton, Alison M. Lawrie, Jee-Sun Cho, Fay L. Nugent, Philip J. Spence, Sarah E. Silk, Simon J. Draper, Angela M. Minassian
Summary: Repeated controlled human malaria infection (CHMI) with the same parasite did not show clear evidence of anti-parasite immunity in most participants, although some individuals exhibited variation in parasite growth dynamics. However, repeat homologous blood-stage CHMI proved to be safe and offers a model for studying naturally acquired immunity to blood-stage infection.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Kazutoyo Miura, Thao P. Pham, Shwu-Maan Lee, Jordan Plieskatt, Ababacar Diouf, Issaka Sagara, Camila H. Coelho, Patrick E. Duffy, Yimin Wu, Carole A. Long
Summary: Monitoring the integrity of recombinant proteins is critical during the development of subunit vaccines. This study developed a sandwich ELISA-based in vitro potency assay, called the Antigen Integrity Assay (AIA), to monitor the potency of Pfs230 protein. The AIA demonstrated excellent precision, sensitivity, and high throughput, making it a useful tool for future subunit vaccine development.
Article
Immunology
Julie Healer, Jennifer K. K. Thompson, Karen L. L. Mackwell, Cecille D. D. Browne, Benjamin A. A. Seager, Anna Ngo, Kym N. N. Lowes, Sarah E. E. Silk, David Pulido, Lloyd D. W. King, Jayne M. M. Christen, Amy R. R. Noe, Vinayaka Kotraiah, Paul J. J. Masendycz, Rajkannan Rajagopalan, Leanne Lucas, Marianne M. M. Stanford, Lorraine Soisson, Carter Diggs, Robin Miller, Susan Youll, Kaye Wycherley, Simon J. J. Draper, Alan F. F. Cowman
Summary: This study assessed the potential of a protein-in-adjuvant blood stage malaria vaccine based on a combination of RH5, Ripr, and CyRPA. The results showed that this vaccine could induce highly inhibitory parasite neutralizing antibodies against Plasmodium falciparum.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Carolyn M. Nielsen, Jordan R. Barrett, Christine Davis, Jonathan K. Fallon, Cyndi Goh, Ashlin R. Michell, Catherine Griffin, Andrew Kwok, Carolin Loos, Samuel Darko, Farida Laboune, Mehmet Tekman, Ababacar Diouf, Kazutoyo Miura, Joseph R. Francica, Amy Ransier, Carole A. Long, Sarah E. Silk, Ruth O. Payne, Angela M. Minassian, Douglas A. Lauffenburger, Robert A. Seder, Daniel C. Douek, Galit Alter, Simon J. Draper
Summary: Modifications to vaccine delivery, specifically delayed fractional (DFx) dosing, can significantly increase the durability of serum antibodies. This study demonstrates that DFx dosing improves the magnitude and longevity of circulating B cells and IgG1 antibodies. The underlying mechanisms include improved FcRn binding and a shift from short-lived plasma cells to long-lived plasma cells.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Kazutoyo Miura, Ababacar Diouf, Michael P. Fay, Jordan R. Barrett, Ruth O. Payne, Ally I. Olotu, Angela M. Minassian, Sarah E. Silk, Simon J. Draper, Carole A. Long
Summary: This study found that the error in GIA results mainly came from donor variations, rather than the testing date. Additionally, the study provided the 95% confidence interval for %GIA and GIA(50) to facilitate comparisons between different samples/groups/studies.
Article
Cell Biology
Mimi M. M. Hou, Jordan R. R. Barrett, Yrene Themistocleous, Thomas A. A. Rawlinson, Ababacar Diouf, Francisco J. J. Martinez, Carolyn M. M. Nielsen, Amelia M. M. Lias, Lloyd D. W. King, Nick J. J. Edwards, Nicola M. M. Greenwood, Lucy Kingham, Ian D. D. Poulton, Baktash Khozoee, Cyndi Goh, Susanne H. H. Hodgson, Dylan J. J. Mac Lochlainn, Jo Salkeld, Micheline Guillotte-Blisnick, Christele Huon, Franziska Mohring, Jenny M. M. Reimer, Virander S. S. Chauhan, Paushali Mukherjee, Sumi Biswas, Iona J. J. Taylor, Alison M. M. Lawrie, Jee-Sun Cho, Fay L. L. Nugent, Carole A. A. Long, Robert W. W. Moon, Kazutoyo Miura, Sarah E. E. Silk, Chetan E. E. Chitnis, Angela M. M. Minassian, Simon J. J. Draper
Summary: Two clinical trials were conducted to evaluate two vaccines against Plasmodium vivax. The PvDBPII/Matrix-M vaccine, given in a delayed dosing regimen, showed the highest antibody responses and reduced parasite multiplication rate by 51% compared to controls. These results support further evaluation of the PvDBPII/Matrix-M P. vivax vaccine.
SCIENCE TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Sarah E. Silk, Wilmina F. Kalinga, Ivanny M. Mtaka, Nasoro S. Lilolime, Maximillian Mpina, Florence Milando, Saumu Ahmed, Ababacar Diouf, Fatuma Mkwepu, Beatus Simon, Thabit Athumani, Mohammed Rashid, Latipha Mohammed, Omary Lweno, Ali M. Ali, Gloria Nyaulingo, Bakari Mwalimu, Sarah Mswata, Tunu G. Mwamlima, Jordan R. Barrett, Lawrence T. Wang, Yrene Themistocleous, Lloyd D. W. King, Susanne H. Hodgson, Ruth O. Payne, Carolyn M. Nielsen, Alison M. Lawrie, Fay L. Nugent, Jee-Sun Cho, Carole A. Long, Kazutoyo Miura, Simon J. Draper, Angela M. Minassian, Ally I. Olotu
Summary: The RH5 vaccine demonstrates acceptable safety and reactogenicity in children and infants in a malaria-endemic area, with encouraging immunogenicity. The vaccine-induced antibodies show growth inhibition activity against P. falciparum blood-stage parasites, with the highest levels observed in infants. These data support further clinical development of RH5-based vaccines to protect against malaria in young African infants.
Article
Immunology
Wanlapa Roobsoong, Anjali Yadava, Simon J. Draper, Angela M. Minassian, Jetsumon Sattabongkot
Summary: Controlled Human Malaria Infection models (CHMI) are crucial for advancing malaria vaccines. However, the difficulty in producing the Plasmodium vivax parasite in vitro has limited the production of qualified parasites for CHMI and screening potential vaccines to combat this globally distributed parasite. This article discusses the challenges, lessons learned, and the way forward in effectively performing PvCHMI to support vaccine development.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Tunu Guntram Mwamlima, Solomon Mickson Mwakasungula, Catherine Gerald Mkindi, Mgeni Mohamed Tambwe, Sarah Senyoni Mswata, Stephen Gabriel Mbwambo, Michael Fred Mboya, Simon John Draper, Sarah Elizabeth Silk, Maxmillian Gedion Mpina, John-Mary Vianney, Ally Ibrahim Olotu
Summary: This study assessed the total IgG levels to Plasmodium falciparum schizont among infants and estimated the malaria incidence. The results showed a decline in total anti-schizont IgG levels, which was related to a fall in malaria incidence.
PAN AFRICAN MEDICAL JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Elena Mitsi, Jesus Reine, Britta C. Urban, Carla Solorzano, Elissavet Nikolaou, Angela D. Hyder-Wright, Sherin Pojar, Ashleigh Howard, Lisa Hitchins, Sharon Glynn, Madlen C. Farrar, Konstantinos Liatsikos, Andrea M. Collins, Naomi F. Walker, Helen C. Hill, Esther L. German, Katerina S. Cheliotis, Rachel L. Byrne, Christopher T. Williams, Ana Cubas-Atienzar, Tom E. Fletcher, Emily R. Adams, Simon J. Draper, David Pulido, Rohini Beavon, Christian Theilacker, Elizabeth Begier, Luis Jodar, Bradford D. Gessner, Daniela M. Ferreira
Summary: This study investigated the relationship between SARS-CoV-2 and Streptococcus pneumoniae in different populations, and found that pneumococcal infection reduces host immune responses to the virus.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION
(2022)
